10 beauty trends we're obsessed with right now

Why stick to a tedious template when you can smudge, stripe and smear your way to cosmetic brilliance? While past seasons enforced the importance of a precise cat eye and perfectly lined lip, 2016 is all about artistic experimentation, from a dash of glossy eyeshadow to a swirl of bright blush applied outside the apples of the cheeks.

Tip: Scribble your way to a seriously staggering, smoldering stare with a satinyeye pencil that glides on seamlessly and blends in effortlessly.

Dive into spring 2016’s bounty of deep blue hues by embracing tranquil shades of cobalt, cornflower, cerulean or understatedcolor of the year Serenity. Whichever shade you choose, setting your lids awash in cool tones will ensure you’re ready for the spring season.

Tip: To avoid appearing more mermaid than modern, concentrate especially saturated blue hues along the lash line. Transform your favoritepowder eyeshadow formula into an intensified eyeliner by dampening a dedicated liner brush with water before application.

Alternative rockers of the ’80s are the matriarchs of spring’s graphic eyeliner trend. Join the ranks of beauty renegades with misplaced eyeliner and streaky, contoured lids striking enough to be labeled art nouveau.

​Tip: Channel your inner rebel by applying a thin line of inkyebony eyelinermidway between the lash line and lid crease for a modernized cat eye.

Pantone’s latest color of the year announcement heralded 2016 as the return of pastels with soft Serenity and ethereal Rose Quartz. Take the trend to its logical root by setting your head aglow in pale highlights to set off spring’s soothing, pastel palette.

Tip: Apply subtly smoky pastel highlights to random sections of hair for a creative coiff no one would dare label “basic.”

This year’s answer to beachy waves is so much more than strategically undone curls. Consider the ’do du jour your natural texture, only better. Tousled curls and relaxed ripples are game-changers for the coming months, especially for those who aren’t afraid to finally embrace their unique beauty.

Purveyors of the pretty milkmaid plait, braided crown and couture cornrow: don’t retire the fierce music festival staple style just yet. Whether windswept, slicked back or somewhere in between, spring 2016 is prime time to fall in love with a romantic, woven braided updo.

​Tip: Coax stick-straight strands to new heights by kneading a palmful ofvolumizing mousse into clean, moistened hair before heat styling.

Upend your reliance on natural eye makeup this season by opting for a daring and bright-eyed gaze. Lend the twinkle in your eye additional star power with a pinch of gleaming powder eyeshadow for an exceptionally sultry look.

Tip: To take your shimmering eyeshadow from happy hour at dusk to dancing till dawn, prep lids with a primer before sweeping on a layer ofglittering eyeshadow. Polish off the look with dark,lacquered lashes.

Tantalizingly soft, touchable tresses are always in style. Whether you prefer to wear your hair wavy or streamlined and straight, the proper conditioning products can add just the right shine for a dazzling ’do.

Tip: Whip your strands into shape by smoothing a dime-sized amount of sheen-inducinghair oil through your mane before styling with a hair dryer or straightening iron.

Kiss lackluster lips goodbye and envelop your pout in a cheeky red. Mimic the runway’s velvety lips by first exfoliating dead skin cells and then selecting a long-wearing lip gloss that dries to a matte finish.

Tip: Begin with a small “x” to mark the cupid’s bow before swiping on amatte lip gloss in the crimson color family to maintain the longevity of your look.

Spring is a renaissance for the senses, and the prime time to explore the brightest and boldest of 2016's fresh crop of blossoming beauty trends. Rejuvenate your hair routine with braids, drench your eyelids in hues of blue, and color outside the lines to your heart's content -- the upcoming season in beauty is an ode to your unique joie de vivre. Play away!